Benlysta starts working right away, but it may take time for you to see improvements in your symptoms. Some people started to see improvements after 8 weeks.
Benlysta is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain type of lupus and lupus nephritis. Specifically, it is used for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis in adults and in children ages 5 years and older.
SLE may cause a range of symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and skin problems such as a butterfly (malar) rash. Lupus nephritis can cause high blood pressure, edema, and proteinuria (protein in your urine).
Benlysta should start working after the first dose, but you might not notice symptom improvement right away. Read on to learn more about how to know whether Benlysta is working and how the drug works.
Benlysta starts working right away after your first dose, but you may not notice any changes in your symptoms for a little while.
In the drug’s studies, some people — about 4 in 10 — began to see symptom improvement as early as 8 weeks. However, it may take 6 to 9 months to see the full effects of Benlysta.
How do I know Benlysta is working?
Benlysta may be working for you even before you begin to notice improvements in your lupus symptoms. But seeing symptom improvement will be a physical sign that the drug is working to treat your condition.
If you have questions about Benlysta, talk with your doctor. They will monitor you during your treatment and make sure the drug is safe and effective for your condition.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that it affects your immune system. (Your immune system protects your body from infection and disease.) Benlysta is approved for use in people who are already taking standard treatments for their lupus, such as a steroid like prednisone.
Benlysta belongs to a drug class called monoclonal antibodies. These are biologic drugs made from immune system cells. Specifically, Benlysta is a B-lymphocyte stimulator-specific blocker.
B-lymphocyte stimulators produce autoantibodies, which are proteins in your blood that attack your body. By blocking B-lymphocyte stimulators, Benlysta decreases the amount of autoantibodies you have. Having fewer autoantibodies can help relieve your lupus symptoms.
Benlysta is a prescription drug used to treat certain type of lupus and lupus nephritis. These conditions can cause a range of symptoms, including certain skin problems, fatigue, and edema.
Benlysta may start working right away, but you may not notice that the drug is working until you begin to see symptom improvement. This may take 6 to 9 months.
If you have questions about Benlysta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
